Pre op diet...3 weeks, WHAT?

[tina74035 7]

Had my first meeting with the doctor and they said I had to be on a liquid diet for 3 weeks to shrink my liver...wait what? That seems like a really LONG TIME. I am a big girl and I am terrified of the liquid diet. I am a self pay so I have to pay thousands upon thousands of dollars and I am not sure I can make it three weeks. Anyone else had to be on liquids that long?

[hillbillienurse 0]

We took my son to a seminar and I informed the surgeon that if folks could live on a liquid diet, they wouldn't need him. I had the band in years ago and no one did a lot liquid diet prior. My opinion is it's just more people making a few bucks off over weight people who need help - not being victimized.

[tina74035 7]

That is kind of what I was thinking. Three weeks is a long time. If I could live on liquid, I would not be in the position I am in.

[DavidOso 272]

my bmi was 69 @ 515 lbs. i was on a liquid diet pre op for 34 days!!! i lost 35 lbs in 34 days and shrunk my liver. the reason to shrink your liver is that they have to move it to get at your stomach that is BEHIND IT. also the higher your bmi, the greater the risk from the anesthesia(sp?). your surgeon is not the ceo of a Protein Powder company, so kick backs are not the issue. THIS IS TRULY FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH. this will also be a test for you, how badly do you want this? bad enough to go through food withdrawl to save your life? three weeks of discomfort could mean a whole new lease on life. think long and hard on this. i am very grateful for what i have been given.

[RickM 1,753]

Typically, those docs who require these diets do so for an average of two weeks, though three or four is not unheard of; neither is none at all or something in between - it depends upon the surgeon's preferences and prior experiences. Many who do these diets just do a low carb, low calorie diet (which is the essence of what the liver needs to improve its' condition for those surgeons who are concerned about that,) and many do some combination of liquids and low carb meals. If you are self pay, then you can choose any surgeon that you want. I've never found a good explanation of the value of these purely liquid diets vs a general low carb diet for these pre-op concerns, so you can look for a surgeon who is a bit more patient-friendly in that regard. Hint - look for surgeons who have substantial experience with the DS (duodenal switch) as from what I have seen, most don't require anything beyond the typical day before routine. It seems that experience with that procedure provides skills and tools that negate the need for these diets (DSFacts.com has a listing of some of the well-regarded DS docs around). As a bonus, since the DS uses the sleeve as its basis, the average DS doc has been doing sleeves much longer than the average bariatric surgeon, so you get additional sleeve experience on your side.

[aaonthego 24]

The liquid diet is for your own good. I'm using the app and can't see your stats and also don't know what doctor/program you're with. But the way my surgeon and nutritionist explained it to me, they base the duration of the liquid diet on your pre-surgery BMI. <35 = 3 days. 35 - 40 = 1 week. 40 - 45 = 2 weeks. >45 = 3 weeks. Something along those lines. I was also a self pay patient and while I only had a 1 week liquid preop diet, it helped having my program explain the purpose and criteria for the diet.

[tappingmom 85]

Doctors don't make money off you being on a liquid diet. There are sound medical reasons to stick to that diet pre-op, primarily to shrink your liver so the surgery can safely be performed. Honestly, my pre-op liquid diet was a breeze. The POST-OP clear liquid diet for a week, then followed by another week of full liquids, then another 2 weeks of purées - now that's the tough part. If you really feel like you won't be able to make it through the pre-op diet, you probably aren't ready for the surgery.

[hillbillienurse 0]

I had my surgery 10 years ago. I have learned over my life to take info from all and insult none. My perch is as precarious as the rest of humanity. ????

[tina74035 7]

The liquid diet is for your own good. I'm using the app and can't see your stats and also don't know what doctor/program you're with. But the way my surgeon and nutritionist explained it to me, they base the duration of the liquid diet on your pre-surgery BMI. <35 = 3 days. 35 - 40 = 1 week. 40 - 45 = 2 weeks. >45 = 3 weeks. Something along those lines. I was also a self pay patient and while I only had a 1 week liquid preop diet, it helped having my program explain the purpose and criteria for the diet.

Thank you for the information. I was never told this. I know it is for my own good, I just did not understand why. Thank you